GCC States Discuss Worker Safety

Bahrain hosted the third meeting of the Executive Committee for Occupational Safety and Health in the GCC countries on Wednesday, as part of the Sixth National Occupational Safety and Health Conference.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the two-day conference taking place from September 22 to 23, was chaired by Sheikh Ali bin Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Relations at the Ministry of Labour.

Mohammed bin Hassan Al Obaidli, Director General of the Executive Office of the GCC Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs, attended the meeting, along with officials and specialists in occupational safety and health from GCC labour ministries and affiliated authorities.

Participants reviewed key GCC initiatives in occupational safety and health and discussed a proposed GCC framework for occupational safety and health, as well as a unified initiative to build capacity and regulate the occupational safety and health profession.

The meeting also discussed an initiative to protect workers from heat stress as part of ongoing GCC efforts to strengthen preventive measures and workplace safety.

Officials stressed the importance of continued coordination and cooperation among GCC countries, including the exchange of expertise and best practices, to develop safer work environments, strengthen worker protection and advance occupational safety and health systems across the region.